Itching in Patients with Chronic Hand Eczema: Data from the CARPE Registry

Abstract

Background: Itching is a leading symptom of chronic hand eczema (CHE) having a great impact on patients. The determinants of itching in CHE are unclear. Objective: We performed a cross-sectional analysis investigating factors associated with the presence and severity of itch in CHE patients from the CARPE registry. Methods: We present baseline data on itch in relationship with sociodemographic factors, severity of CHE, atopy, contact allergy, treatment and patient- reported outcomes including health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results: Of 1,051 patients with CHE, 78.1% reported itching. Significant positive associations with itching were observed for younger age groups (17-25 and 26-45 years), for moderate, severe and very severe CHE and for small/moderate impairment in HRQoL. Atopic skin diathesis, hardly being able to realize treatment recommendations and very or extremely large impairments in HRQoL were associated with itch severity. Conclusion: Taking the identified variables into account may help identify vulnerable groups most affected by (severe) itch.

Botulinum toxin type A in chronic non‐dyshidrotic palmar eczema: A side‐by‐side comparative study

“…Its negative consequences on the hand functions and the patient’s quality of life are all related to the symptomatology of the condition. Patients may suffer from pruritus, burning and stinging pain, 17 desquamation, vesiculation, erythema, fissuring, oozing or dryness in different combinations during the course of the disease 18 . Out of these symptoms, pruritus may be the most frequent and bothersome symptom to the patient 17 .…”

“…Patients may suffer from pruritus, burning and stinging pain, 17 desquamation, vesiculation, erythema, fissuring, oozing or dryness in different combinations during the course of the disease 18 . Out of these symptoms, pruritus may be the most frequent and bothersome symptom to the patient 17 . It may be an exacerbating factor for the other symptoms as consequent rubbing or scratching will further compound the skin barrier defect.…”

Hand Dermatitis: A Review of Clinical Features, Prevention and Treatment

“…Itching as a symptom is unreliable in distinguishing between allergic and irritant causation in the chronic phase. A recent study of itching in chronic hand dermatitis unresponsive to topical therapy found an association of itching with atopy and disease severity among other factors [11].…”

Which factors are associated with the use of systemic antihistamines in patients with chronic hand eczema? Results from the CARPE registry

“…CARPE serves several clinical and scientific purposes. For instance, we previously analysed co‐factors of pruritus accompanying CHE and observed that younger age, a more severe CHE and moderate or severe impairment in health‐related quality of life were significantly associated with pruritus in CHE . A subsample of the CARPE baseline dataset was used to validate the German version of the Occupational Contact Dermatitis Disease Severity Index (ODDI) .…”

“…For instance, we previously analysed co-factors of pruritus accompanying CHE and observed that younger age, a more severe CHE and moderate or severe impairment in health-related quality of life were significantly associated with pruritus in CHE. 4 A subsample of the CARPE baseline dataset was used to validate the German version of the Occupational Contact Dermatitis Disease Severity Index (ODDI). 5 A comprehensive descriptive analysis of the care received by patients with CHE showed that 35.3% (N = 1163) reported systemic treatment prior to inclusion in the register, including e.g.…”